So I got the bug for a bolt action rifle. I love the 700 for its versatility and would use it as a plinker thatll double over as a primary hunting rifle for deer mostly. For you guys that own one what are the pluses of it and minuses of the rifle or if you have an alternative rifle please state it as well as why youd prefer it over the 700. The caliber im looking at is either 308 or 30-06.

I'd LOVE a bolt action but most of my ranges are 100 yards or less, kind of defeats the purpose for a long range rifle. Although if I were to get one i'd get the Marlin XS7. It's cheaper and supposedly very good from the reviews I have read about it. I just wish I could take it out to longer ranges like 500-600 yards or something. Why is this in the rimfire section though?

I'd LOVE a bolt action but most of my ranges are 100 yards or less, kind of defeats the purpose for a long range rifle. Although if I were to get one i'd get the Marlin XS7. It's cheaper and supposedly very good from the reviews I have read about it. I just wish I could take it out to longer ranges like 500-600 yards or something. Why is this in the rimfire section though?

Savage Model 10 if you want to spend a little more and get a few better features like an amazing trigger and a more solid stock.

I'd go along with this. When I bought mine, Savage rifles were not coming with Accu-triggers. Savage was a similar, arguably as accurate or more accurate rifle with a really cheap stock. Cheap stocks are easily replaced with a great one, but the HS Precision stocks on some Remingtons were pretty great.

Nowadays, it would be a tough decision between a 700 and a Savage 10. If I was getting a Remington, I would be getting the 700 Milspec 5R. I have a 700P and I am happy with it - mine is stock. The only complaint I have is the rather heavy trigger break, but it is not bad at all and I think it can be adjusted. My rifle is HEAVY - I would not lug it around hunting. Keep weight in mind when looking at different barrel configs.

Also, I like the Ruger American Rifle for the price if you are looking at 30-06. What a deal.

I have a 700 CDL in .30-06 for hunting and a 700P in .308 for plinking, targeting.

Both are great rifles. Both are sub MOA at 100 yards, real tac drivers. The .30-06 is light, recoil is medium+ to hard. good thing it is cold bore dead on accurate because after 20 rounds at the range my shoulder can feel it. Hunting I rarely take more than one or two shots. The .308 is much more pleasurable to shoot has much less recoil and I could shoot it all day long...it is 4-5lbs. heavier than my hunting rifle. One is 7-8lbs the other is 12-13lbs.

I paid $700 out the door for the CDL in .30-06 about 5 years ago, bought the 700P from another cal gunner Haris bipod, Leoupold rings and Bushnell scope for $900 about 2 years ago.